Public Land Solutions Takes a Pragmatic Approach to Recreation and Trail Development [Podcast #288]

Ashley Korenblat is the CEO of Western Spirit Cycling Adventures and founder of Outerbike, as well as the Managing Director of Public Land Solutions, a non-profit dedicated to “providing comprehensive recreation planning and stakeholder coordination to support effective and sustainable public land solutions.”
Photo: publiclandsolutions.org

Ashley Korenblat is the CEO of Western Spirit Cycling Adventures and founder of Outerbike, as well as the Managing Director of Public Land Solutions, a non-profit dedicated to “providing comprehensive recreation planning and stakeholder coordination to support effective and sustainable public land solutions.” She also previously served as IMBA Board chair.In this episode we ask Ashley:

  • What is a “recreational asset?” Is this considered in strictly monetary terms, or are intrinsic values considered as well?
  • How does PLS identify recreational assets and what does a typical plan look like?
  • How significant is the Land and Water Conservation Fund in terms of recreation project funding in the US? 
  • Is there an opportunity to work with energy development companies on recreation plans?
  • What are some of the ways trail advocacy groups could improve on their current land management and access strategies?
  • What is the PLS stance on MTB Wilderness access?  
  • How does your advocacy background inform and connect with your trip offerings at Western Spirit?

Learn more about Public Land Solutions at publiclandsolutions.org and Western Spirit at westernspirit.com.–Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks_com


This episode is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Picture yourself in the middle of 100,000 acres of public lands and over 300 shredable miles of single track. A place often referred to as one of the top mountain biking towns in the country. Brevard, North Carolina has countless epic adventures for every kind of rider on tap. Whether you love rocky, rooty technical lines in Pisgah, or flowy lines in Dupont State Recreational Forest, or something in-between – Brevard has it all…in spades. Come discover the place often referred to as the Cycling Capital of the South. Start planning your trip at ExploreBrevard.com


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